UNESCO 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology launches Quantum 100 initiative to recognize and champion the global quantum community

LONDON – April 28th, 2025 – UNESCO’s 2025 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) today announces the launch of the Quantum 100: A global snapshot of careers & community, a major global initiative to celebrate the diverse people behind quantum science and technology. 

From researchers to policymakers, educators to entrepreneurs, and students to communicators, The Quantum 100 will recognize and champion 100 quantum professionals from around the world. 

To be considered for inclusion, IYQ is asking for submissions which demonstrate important contributions to quantum science and technology or the quantum community in the fields of: 

• Academia 
• Arts
• Communication
• Education
• Government 
• Industry 
• Philanthropy 

Submissions are open from today until 28th May.

Each person within the Quantum 100 will have their name and photo in an online gallery on the IYQ website with details about their accomplishments. Submissions will be reviewed by members of the IYQ Steering Committee, an international consortium of scientists and policymakers, with announcements of the Quantum 100 beginning on 29 July, to coincide with 100 years since the publication of Werner Heisenberg’s “magical” paper that led to the development of the new model of quantum mechanics.

“The Quantum 100 is in the true spirit of the IYQ ,” said Sir Peter Knight, 

Professor at Imperial College London, Chair of the Quantum Metrology Institute at the National Physical Laboratory and co-chair of IYQ Steering Committee. “ Quantum sciences and the wider quantum community is driven forward by a cohort of diverse, globally-minded individuals. With this initiative, we will celebrate the roles and contributions of these individuals, and in doing so inspire the next generation of quantum talent. One of the goals of IYQ is that anyone, anywhere can participate, and the Quantum 100 is a timely reminder of how many different kinds of people are already participating and thriving in the quantum industry around the world.”

Silvina Ponce Dawson, President of IUPAP (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics) added:

“With diversity key to scientific endeavour, The Quantum 100 represents an important and timely initiative to highlight how quantum science and technology can be tackled from different perspectives. I truly hope that Quantum 100 will inspire other activities and help increase diversity within a field that is already exerting a huge impact on human society worldwide.” 

For further information, please visit https://quantum2025.org/quantum-100/ 

About the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology: 

The UN declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science & Technology  (IYQ) to mark the 100th anniversary of the study of quantum mechanics, and to help raise public awareness of the importance and impact of quantum science and applications on all aspects of life. It also aims to inspire the next generation of quantum scientists and improve the future quantum workforce by focusing on education and outreach. Anyone, anywhere, can participate in IYQ by helping others to learn more about quantum or simply taking the time to learn more about it themselves.